Warren Fire Department welcomes new firefighters

WARREN — Three new city firefighters took the oath of office this week to replace two firefighters who left for other jobs and the death of firefighter Casey Klein, 43, who was killed in an ATV accident in Vernon Township last month.

The three new hires are Kevin Hostetler, 27, and Aaron Williams, 22, who are both of Bristol Township, and who both have three years of part-time experience with the Bristol Fire Department; and Raymond Manofsky, 38, of Warren, who worked part time for the Howland Fire Department nine years and also worked for the Champion and Brookfield fire departments.

All three are working their first shifts this week.

The fire department is using a $2.4 million two-year U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters grant to pay the salary and benefits of about 15 firefighters to keep the department’s staffing level at 65. The grant ends in 2019.